Organizers of the third annual Hamilton County Job Fair always hope someone’s life will be changed by attending the event and occasionally hear about the success stories. On Tuesday, they were overjoyed when an attendee announced she was leaving with a job – after being unemployed since May 2011.
“We all got a little water in our eyes,” said organizer and Noblesville Economic Development Director Judi Johnson. “She was so excited. She found a job and the kind of job she was looking for. We really are inspired.”
Johnson said this year’s fair had 667 job seekers from 15 Indiana counties and two from out of state.
While turnout was lower than the past year, Johnson takes that as a good sign because unemployment has also dropped from 2011.
“It has consistently gone down. It’s been a rainy day and we’ve had sunny days in the past, but it’s still in the hundreds,” she said.
This year’s fair included approximately 80 employers, all of whom had to be currently hiring to participate.
“The 2012 Hamilton County Job Fair was once again successful in bringing job seekers together with hiring employers,” she said. “Every year, those looking for new, or different, employment and employers looking for filling their workforce comment that this is the best job fair they have ever attended. The caliber of job seeker and the eclectic array of job offerings make this event time well spent for everyone.”
Pizza Hut was looking to hire 30 to 40 employees for five Hamilton County locations – two in Noblesville and Fishers and another in Westfield.
“We got to talk to a lot of people,” said Nate Goodman. “Everybody is very friendly and eager to get a job.”
Tom Martinez, who worked beside Goodman at the booth, said this is their first time at a job fair and appreciated the exposure it gave the company and job seekers.
“There is a huge benefit to being here,” he said. “For the afternoon of one day we’re getting a huge turnout.”